Merck KGaA , a leading science and technology company, announced the signing of a definitive agreement to acquire the chromatography business of JSR Life Sciences, a leader in contract development and manufacturing, preclinical and translational clinical research, and bioprocessing solutions.

The acquisition will expand Merck’s downstream processing portfolio with advanced Protein A chromatography capabilities, supporting more efficient and scalable production of biopharmaceutical therapies, including monoclonal antibodies. The transaction is expected to close by the end of the second quarter of 2026.

“This acquisition will strengthen our position in the bioprocessing market and underscores our commitment to long-term investment in monoclonal antibody production technologies,” said Sebastián Arana, Head of Process Solutions, Life Science business of Merck.

“By combining JSR’s Protein A expertise with our portfolio, we can further enable customers to advance the speed, efficiency, and reliability of antibody therapy production.”

Protein A chromatography plays a critical role in the purification of monoclonal antibodies and therapeutic proteins, which are used for treating cancers, autoimmune diseases, and infectious conditions. This specialized purification process is key to achieving high purity and enhanced drug safety, while also improving manufacturing speed and reliability. Ultimately, that means helping patients gain faster access to critical therapies.

“This acquisition positions our innovative Amsphere Protein A technologies for even greater global impact under Merck's renowned platform—enabling more customers worldwide to accelerate therapies to market with enhanced speed and confidence”, said Tim Lowery, President of JSR Life Sciences.